The phrase “today is the day of salvation” comes from 2 Corinthians 6:2 which says, “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” This verse, written by the apostle Paul, refers to the truth that today, the present day, is when people can receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
What does it mean then that today is the day of salvation? Here are several key points:
1. Salvation is available immediately
The Bible presents salvation as something that can be received instantly. When the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” they responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). The thief on the cross next to Jesus simply cried out, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” and Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43). Salvation was extended and received right away.
There is no need to wait for salvation. It is not something reserved for a later date after more good works or spiritual growth. The invitation and offer is for today. As Jesus declared, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). Faith in Christ brings immediate salvation.
2. God’s grace is available now
Behind the offer of salvation today is the reality of God’s grace. Salvation is not something we can earn or merit. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Salvation is only made possible by the underserved favor of God.
And God chooses to pour out this grace today. “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people” (Titus 2:11). “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you,” says 2 Corinthians 6:2. God’s grace is on offer today and can be received today.
3. Today is the day to respond to the gospel
The message of salvation through Jesus Christ is going out today all across the world. People everywhere are hearing that Christ died for sins and rose again, and that by believing in Him, they can be forgiven and saved.
God wants people to respond promptly to this good news. Acts 17:30 declares, “God commands all people everywhere to repent.” And 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 implores, “We appeal to you not to receive God’s grace in vain…I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” The day to believe the gospel is today.
4. No one is guaranteed tomorrow
Procrastination is dangerous because no one is guaranteed another day. “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow,” says James 4:14. Hebrews 3:13 warns, “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Tomorrow is not a certainty, so today is the time to respond.
Jesus told the parable of the rich fool who put off God, only to have his life required of him that night (Luke 12:16-21). In the parable of the ten virgins, the foolish ones were shut out from entering the wedding banquet because they had put off being ready (Matthew 25:1-13). Tomorrow could be too late.
As Psalm 95:7-8 declares, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” The day of salvation is today because tomorrow is beyond our control.
5. Christ could return any day
Not only is the future uncertain for each of us as individuals, but the timing of Christ’s second coming is also unknown. Jesus stated, “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). He will return unexpectedly.
If Christ returned today, would you be ready? Tomorrow could be too late. The uncertainty of when Christ will return emphasizes the urgency of receiving Him today. As Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today.'”
6. Salvation brings tremendous blessings
Why put off for tomorrow what you can gain today? Accepting God’s salvation promise opens the floodgates of blessing into our lives. We gain forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:14), become children of God (John 1:12), receive eternal life (John 3:16), and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us (Ephesians 1:13-14). Salvation ushers us into God’s family and kingdom.
In addition, the process of being transformed into Christ’s image begins right away for believers. We can start experiencing the fruits of the Spirit like love, joy, peace, and more (Galatians 5:22-23). God showers spiritual riches upon His children.
Why delay? Repentance today initiates the process of redemption in our lives. The blessings of salvation can start now.
7. Satan wants people to put off salvation
While God desires immediate acceptance of His grace, our adversary the devil wants people to procrastinate. Satan is the thief who comes to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). He works to blind minds to the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4) and snatch away the message before it takes root (Luke 8:12). The devil schemes to get people to put off Christ.
This makes responding promptly to the gospel message that much more important. We must be aware of the enemy’s ploys to delay and resist him, as James 4:7-8 instructs: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Today is the day of salvation.
8. It demonstrates the seriousness of our faith
Coming to Christ immediately upon hearing the gospel demonstrates the genuineness and seriousness of our faith. It shows we understand our need for a Savior from our sins and Christ’s provision on the cross. We comprehend the brevity of life and urgency of escaping the coming judgment. Faith that acts promptly is validated by its haste.
When the man who was demon-possessed begged to go with Jesus immediately after being healed, Jesus honored his earnest request and told him, “‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you’ – and he went away and began to tell” (Mark 5:19-20). Immediate sharing displayed his joy and belief.
The seriousness of our faith response is evidenced by its promptness. “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15). May our answer always be, like Lydia’s in Acts 16:14, to promptly respond to the gospel when our hearts are opened by God.
9. It allows maximum time for ministry
Coming to salvation today rather than putting it off until later maximizes our opportunity for Christian service. At conversion, God gives spiritual gifts to believers to serve and edify others in the body of Christ (1 Peter 4:10). The longer someone waits after initially hearing the gospel, the less time and energy they will have to use those gifts for kingdom work.
Immediately after the Samaritans believed Philip’s preaching about Christ, they were baptized and the apostles came to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:12-17). This allowed them to be discipled and to grow in their faith as soon as possible. Now was the time for ministry.
No one knows how long they will live on this earth. Coming to Christ today provides more years to do God’s work. As Ephesians 5:16 says, “Make the most of every opportunity.” Today is the day of salvation.
10. It brings swift deliverance from sin’s bondage
Sin is a cruel taskmaster that only brings more darkness and captivity the longer we remain enslaved to it. But Christ promises immediate liberty: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). Faith in Him breaks sin’s power over our lives right away. As Romans 6:18 says, “You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
The demon-possessed man in Mark 5 lived naked in tombs and cried out in anguish before Jesus set him free. But after his deliverance, he was found “sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35). Salvation instantly changed his life and situation.
Why continue under sin’s domain? Accepting Christ today delivers us at once from its dominion over our lives. We become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Delaying only prolongs the struggle.
In conclusion, “now is the day of salvation” because Christ’s offer of grace is immediate, believers are blessed the moment they receive Him, Satan wants people to wait, and prompt response displays genuine faith. Today is the best time to free from sin’s bondage and the only time we can be sure is available. That is why there is no better day than today to trust in Jesus Christ and receive the incredible gift of salvation God extends.